Active Wheel Camber Control for Low-Traction Off-Road Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road driving surfaces often present low-traction scenarios where the propulsive force from wheel-to-surface contact patches is insufficient to maintain progress, and existing technologies lack effective solutions to dynamically adjust camber angles to improve traction.
Innovation Solution
A control system that monitors surface information and traction conditions to adjust the camber angle of vehicle wheels using active camber actuators or active suspension systems, allowing for lateral movement of the contact patch to enhance traction by modifying ride height and camber angles based on surface type and traction levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle uses fixed camber angle wheels, then the device complexity is low, but the traction on low-traction surfaces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed camber angle wheels to dynamically adjustable camber angle wheels. The camber angle is actively modified based on detected surface conditions, allowing the wheel geometry to adapt in real-time to low-traction surfaces such as ruts, thereby improving propulsive force without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic surface condition detection and responsive camber adjustment. The control system autonomously monitors surface conditions and triggers camber modification without driver input, enabling the vehicle to self-adapt to varying terrain conditions and maintain optimal traction
2Reliability
If the vehicle modifies camber angle dynamically, then the traction on low-traction surfaces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by integrating camber modification capability into the existing suspension system. The same suspension actuators that control ride height are utilized to modify camber angle, allowing a single system to perform multiple functions (ride height control and camber adjustment) without adding entirely separate mechanical subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by modifying the camber angle parameter in response to detected surface conditions. The control system adjusts the camber angle from a fixed value to a dynamically varied parameter, enabling adaptation to different surface types (rutted, slippery, or high-traction surfaces) through controlled geometric transformation of the wheel assembly
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses active suspension actuators to control camber, then the adaptability to different surfaces is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting camber angle in anticipation of or immediately upon detecting low-traction surface conditions. The control system monitors surface conditions and triggers camber modification before significant traction loss occurs, allowing the vehicle to maintain propulsive force through preventive geometric adaptation rather than reactive correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through oscillating camber modification at controlled frequencies (less than 15 Hz). The camber angle is varied sinusoidally or in periodic cycles to dynamically search for optimal contact patch positioning on low-traction surfaces, creating rhythmic adjustments that enhance propulsive force through repeated lateral movement of the contact patch
Data Source
AI summary
A control system (300) for controlling an actuator arrangement (104) of a vehicle (100), the actuator arrangement being capable of modifying a camber angle of at least one wheel of the vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller (301), wherein the control system is configured to: receive (1004) surface information indicative of a low-traction surface over which the vehicle is travelling; and independence on receiving the surface information, control (1012) the actuator arrangement of the vehicle such that a wheel-to-surface contact patch of the at least one wheel is laterally moved relative to the vehicle as a result of camber modification.